Saturday, February 6, 2010

10 Things I Love About Paris

1. The Eiffel Tower at night. It will never be a cliche.



2. Witnessing an American loudly running up to a Louvre employee and asking (in English), "How do I get to Egypt?" (She meant, "How do I get to the Egyptian Art wing?") After a brief pause, he answers with a thick accent that makes her focus intensely: "Well, you go down that corridor and take the hall to the right. Then you exit, and take the #4 metro west to la Gare X, then you take that to Charles De Gaulle airport. After several thousands kilometers you will arrive there." She did not appreciate the humor: "Ugh, please! The museum closes in 20 minutes." Classic American in Paris.



3. Being able to navigate the Metro system correctly...about 90% of the time.

4. Utilizing my HappyCow website to find vegetarian or vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Paris. L'Ebouillante was good, but Le Potager du Marais near Le Centre Pompidou was absolutely amazing! I will be a repeat customer.



5. Answering questions for Parisians, in French! Never thought I'd see the day.

6. Persuading the ticketer at Le Centre Pompidou that I was from Europe, and permanently living in France. Got into the center free with just my Carte 12-25!



7. Arriving at my French "grandma's" condo in the 16th after several phone call mishaps, a wrong address, and one humorous encounter with the concierge at a nearby hotel who let me use the phone. But Madame was an extremely helpful host; and one of the sweetest, bubbliest, most energetic ladies ever. Her place was so charmingly French too!



8. Still being disappointed by Jackson Polluck, despite the locale (Le Centre Pompidou - National Museum of Modern Art).


9. Accepting the fact that everything is more expensive in Paris. A bouquet of tulips in Rouen = 3 Euro, in Paris = 6.

10. Finishing "Les Soldes" season at Paris' Galleries Lafayettes.

3 comments:

  1. 1. We are definitely going to the Eiffel Tower at night the Thursday I get there!!

    6. This is unacceptable Kristy Anderson behavior! Lying to save a few bucks...tsk tsk :P

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  2. 1) so true!
    2) très typique
    3) congrats!
    4) delicious- note to self...We must try that when I visit!
    5) signing myself up for French now...
    6) you better not actually stay in France!
    7) très chic
    8) agreed- I have seen my 2nd graders with work more interesting than Polluck.
    9) Everything in Paris is expensive!!
    10) What did you buy at the sales? I need to start saving now! :)

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  3. Nic, we will def be there that Thurs night! And #6 was completely acceptable - it would have cost 9 euro otherwise!

    Renee, We are going to that restaurant, for sure. You will absolutely love it!!! As for the sales, I got a jacket, a pair of jeans, and a necklace. Whoops. But I'm refraining from shopping from here on out!

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